There are few things that I enjoy more than spending time exploring the outdoors with my kids. These are some of the few remaining places where children can still have unstructured play and free exploration, while building a strong sense of belonging and respect for nature. Few places can teach us so much about correlations and interactions in nature as creeks do, because you can experience forest and aquatic ecosystems in the same spot.

You do not need a lot to have a great day, some of our favorite activities are:

-Catching and releasing aquatic animals (you only need a net and a container to hold your critters while you check them out)

-Craft boat race (use recyclables to create a boat and let it race down the creek)

-Floating down the river in inner tubes or boards

-Building sand castles or rock structures

-Enjoying a picnic by the water

You can find more outdoor activities for kids on the Nature Conservancy Nature Rocks website. Click here.

As Oakville residents, we are very lucky to have patches of urban forest, natural areas and creeks within walking distance from every home. Take advantage of these opportunities and get out and explore with your family and friends. You can find a complete list of trails via the Town of Oakville. Click here to visit their website.